Canker Sores Are More Than Just a Painful Topic

Canker sores appear in the mouth and can be quite bothersome. Anyone who has ever had one of these little sores knows the discomfort and pain associated with them is very real. Sure, they may seem small in size but they can wreck havoc on your oral health. In some cases the sufferer only experiences them once or twice a year. In other cases sufferers appear to be plagued by them on a monthly basis.

If you are experiencing an odd pain in your mouth, grab your pocket mirror and take a look in your mouth area. Do you see any red or white little spots on your gums? They can hide on the inside of your lips, under your tongue or even in your cheek area. When you probe them with your tongue, do they hurt a bit? If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, the odds are good you are experiencing a canker sore.

The good news is canker sores are not contagious! You can still kiss your family members without fear of passing on this dreaded mouth condition. Some experts believe they are brought on by stress, an allergic reaction to a medicine or an allergy to an environmental situation. However, they may also be associated with less than adequate nutrition.

Although exceedingly rare, the most commonly named offender in causing canker sores is scurvy. Scurvy is caused by a vitamin C deficiency. Easily counteracted with judiciously measured amounts of the vitamin in capsule or supplement form, it is not to be terribly feared. However, if you suspect you have scurvy you should call your doctor immediately.

The bad news is the healing of the sores may take up to five days or more. Additionally, many times the sufferer will be rid of one sore only to notice a few days later another has sprouted. Fortunately there is no need to seek out medical attention as these sores will disappear. The goal with canker sores is finding a way to manage them and prevent them from reoccurring.